Surrender

This story is about a sergeant who is away from home, in the middle of a war. It's unclear which war it is (if it's a war that took place in history or a made up setting) and where he is stationed exactly. We do know that he is stationed in the middle of a town with a guard named Doherty. They live in the barracks together. The sergeant, who we later find out is named Michael, goes into the town to a local tavern. When he is there he hears a group of people talking about the soldiers. He describes the level of authority he has as an "old, still feeling." Which is interesting because usually soldiers are respected, but in this case, Michael is not. He buys his bread and heads back to the barracks. Doherty leaves and Michael is alone getting ready for bed. He takes out a note that he received from his fiance. He knew it was coming. The envelope contained her engagement ring and a note saying that she can no longer wait for him and that she doesn't want to be with him anymore. Michael then starts to contemplate women and their thought processes. He says their minds are like glass but their thoughts break easily. Women can be simple but they are also complex. The story ends with him journeying back to see his future wife.
This story made me think a lot about the soldiers today that are still fighting overseas, but are returning by the end of the year. I think about how hard of a job they have and how difficult it must be to be away from loved ones. I think about the thoughts going through the heads of the loved ones at home. They aren't physically risking their lives, but every day they have to hope that their loved one over seas is safe. At any moment, someone can killed. It's hard to stay with someone who is overseas and might not return home. This people are very strong and I have such respect for them and the soldiers who are still in the Middle East.